Heritage Walk 3 – Oaks Estate

The story of the junction of the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers at Oaks Estate, explores a convergence of landscape histories; overlaying Aboriginal landscape with pastoralists, surveyors, the railway tracks and river crossing, regional and federal development, and natural environment.

The walk starts from ‘The Robertsons’ House’ and proceed along Oaks Estate streets past the ‘The Oaks’ to the Oaks Estate Heritage Trail to the junction of the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers, and back to the start via steps leading out of the river corridor, further upstream, beside the Queanbeyan Railway Bridge.

Wear a hat, sunglasses, closed-in walking shoes and long trousers (snakes are often seen on the track during the summer season).

Walk Leader: Dr Karen Williams

Meet at 9.15 am for 9.30 start, at The Robertsons’ House – 9 Hazel Street, Oaks Estate. (toilet available nearby in Gillespie Park – corner of Hazel Street and River Street)

Length and terrain: 2 hours/2kms. Urban paths and grass verges at the start and end of the walk, with 1km of uneven riverside grass/dirt track between. There are approx. 15 steep formed dirt steps descending into and ascending out of a creek shortly after leaving the streets, and approx. 20 steep uneven stone steps near the end of the walk.

Bad weather: The walk leader will be at the meeting point where a decision will be made as to whether to proceed or postpone.